Mary Brady Hand

Mary Catherine Brady Hand passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 26^th. Mary was born and raised in Manhasset, NY. She attended the College of Mt. St. Vincent in the Bronx and later earned her Master’s degree in Handwriting Analysis from Felician College. Mary married her childhood neighbor, Kenneth L. Hand, in 1960. They had three children; Kenneth, Timothy, and Regina. Mary and Ken raised their family in Demarest, NJ. After their children were grown, Mary went to work for a media technology company for many years until her retirement.

Mary was a devout Catholic who led a quiet life focused on her family and the Lord. Mary was an active parishioner of St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Demarest for many years, where she was able to utilize her talents that included playing the organ during weekly mass and being a Eucharistic Minister. In addition to St. Joseph’s, she also enjoyed daily mass at the SMA Fathers Church in Tenafly, NJ.

Mary was an enthusiastic baseball fan cheering on her beloved NY Mets with her children. An avid bowler with her best friend, Mel Bonino, she once reported a near-perfect game. She enjoyed traveling which included many countries, visiting family, summer vacations in Ocean City, NJ as well as cruises to Bermuda. She was fortunate to also be able to fulfill one of her lifelong dreams to journey to the Holy Land on a pilgrimage.

Mary enjoyed time with her grandchildren, which was spent watching classic movies and laughing together. Her trademark laughter will be missed by all.

Mary is predeceased by her loving husband of 39 years, Kenneth L. Hand, her son, Kenneth C. Hand, her brother Anthony J. Brady (Mary Lou Brady), and sister Bernadette Caligiuri (Pasquale Caligiuri).

Survivors include her son, Timothy Hand (Julia Hand) and daughter, Regina Briseño (Robert Briseño), daughter-in-law Mary E. Hand, brother Joseph Brady (Joanne Brady) and by her 10 grandchildren – Kenneth J. Hand of Houston, TX; Catherine E. Hand of New York City; Stephanie R. Hand, Christina N. Hand and Danielle M. Hand of Queensbury, NY; Ramon K. Briseño, Rory A. Briseño and Veronica C. Briseño of Vallejo, CA; and Matthew P. Hand and Michael T. Hand of Flemington, NJ; and nieces and nephews who loved her dearly.

Mary and Ken will be laid to rest at Washington Crossing National Cemetery in Newtown, PA. In lieu of flowers, please donate funds to the Demarest Volunteer Ambulance Corp at P. O. Box 131, Demarest, NJ 07627. Additionally, those who wish are encouraged to have a Mass offered for Mary in their home parish.

A public Mass of Christian Burial and life celebration service is being planned at a later date under the care and direction of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Flemington, NJ. Please check back on this page for updated service information; again, the information will not be available until the restrictions are lifted.

***Due to the inability to have a public ceremony at this time, and knowing how vital the love of family, friends, and the community is when someone passes, everyone reading this is encouraged to leave a detailed note on this page—perhaps a favorite story, or maybe the way Mary touched your heart—something to help inspire a measure of comfort and hope to all who read the comments.***

Please visit Mary’s permanent memorial site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a memorial candle, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of her life.

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”